It’s kind of wild that fall break is almost here. The semester always seems to fly by after midterms. This is a good time to talk with your student about fall break plans. 

What rest really means

If your student is anything like me, we’ve been counting down the days until we can just sleep in and wear comfy clothes, with nothing on our minds but the next snack run. Others are looking forward to catching up with hometown friends or spending time outside. Ask your student what would help them recharge during the break.

Making the most of time together

You probably have traditions or favorite things you like to do as a family. Maybe it’s a special meal, a movie, or a visit with relatives. Students like it when you talk about those plans beforehand, so everyone knows what to expect. I know I will do all the usual things my family has planned, but I will need to balance that with downtime for myself.

Staying at home is different than before

After living on our own, being at home does feel different than it did before. We get used to making our own decisions — when to eat, when to study, when to sleep. It can take a minute to adjust back to the family dynamic and, honestly, remembering how to compromise. Keep this in mind when considering boundaries, chores, or other expectations you had of your student before they left for college.

Talking about school

Finals are right around the corner, and that can make school talk a little stressful. My advice? Focusing on grades can be a conversation-killer. To really learn how things are going, ask about their favorite classes, activities, or friends at school. If they're struggling, remind them there’s help available — like tutoring, supplemental instruction sessions, or Student Care and Assistance to name a few.

Make it fun

As a student, my time at home has started to feel shorter every year. As I mentioned earlier, the only things on my mind for break are sweatpants, Netflix, snacks, and catching up with my family. Keeping breaks light and fun is important to me, and probably to your student as well.